As of 2020, Disney World stretches 43 square miles, whereas Disneyland covers approximately 500 acres. Rides and Attractions. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. In fact, you still can’t really even get in a quick-service restaurant until you verify that you’ve placed your order in the app. And if you are in a more congested park area on a busier day, well, it’s going to feel crowded. (Updated 1/3/21) – Walt Disney World has released park hours through mid-March with reduced hours for all theme parks during the first quarter of the year. So while you can probably still walk around Epcot’s World Showcase without bumping into a stroller most parts of the day, you may still wait 45 minutes to well over an hour for popular rides or on popular days. Hollywood Studios in particular has been quietly opening a full hour early. Cinderella’s castle is located at Disney World. (UPDATE 1/6/21) – Walt Disney World started its phased reopening on July 11, 2020, with Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opening, followed by EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.We’ve updated our Crowd Calendar to reflect the latest crowd expectations for early 2021 and beyond. Often, you can be the one to leave the situation if you aren’t comfortable. Walt Disney World also was to be a sort of \"Disneyland of the future\" where breakthroughs in science and technology could coexist with the original Disney vision of themed entertainment. Since park hopping is still not permitted outside of official Disney VIP private tours, many folks are done and gone with their park for the day by 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Related: Guide to visiting Walt Disney World. This can help ease your experience and save time commuting each morning. Unlike Universal Studios and some other theme parks, however, your Disney World park tickets will normally give you access to the FastPass+ ride queue skipping system. Walking to the Magic Kingdom from Disney’s Bay Lake Tower or the Contemporary Resort will work to get you in before the stated park opening time. If that fails, come back the last few operating hours of the day when crowds and wait times have been dropping most days. The latter contains Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Walt Disney's concept for Disney World was of a larger, more expansive version of Disneyland, so that it could constantly expand and not be as constrained by the need for land that Disneyland suffered from. When I went to Disney World in July on the day the parks officially reopened after months of closure, I assumed that would be my only trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” for the rest of 2020. Pirates of the Caribbean said we’d be sailing away in 20 minutes, but it took 30 minutes for the dead men to start telling their tales. For example, Jungle Cruise has an approximate wait time of 75 minutes at Disney World, but only thirty at Disneyland. Bay Lake, FL 34747, USA. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Disney Springs closed all of the Disney-owned shops and restaurants on March 17, 2020, and the Disney Resort hotels quickly followed suit by closing on March 20, 2020. With two pandemic-era trips under our Mickey ears, I’m not ruling a third trip out when the holiday decorations come out to play. Also remember to budget for food, souvenirs, and the aforementioned hotels. But the good news is these lengthy queues usually move quickly as there isn’t a FastPass+ line to alternate with. Related: 5 changes at Disney World that I hope become permanent. However, don’t think that means that the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are still only a quarter as busy as they were pre-pandemic. Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course and Magnolia Golf Course are both currently open to the public and are offering deals through the Walt Disney World Golf website. If you wanted a “once in a lifetime” chance to enjoy Disney World with walk-on waits across the park and no one in the background of your pictures, that boat has largely sailed. This varies from limited capacity, social distancing in lines and attractions, face coverings required for ages two and older, and other health safety measures that our Disney World reopening guide covers extensively. Even the rides shared between both parks differ slightly. I can't believe that is a sentence I … The former contains its original Disneyland Park and the newer California Adventure Park. Disney World is now officially OPEN! Orlando, Fla. — My family decided to brave Disney World during COVID-19. During those months, as most of the rest of the country battled with masking or not, in-person schooling or not and gathering or not, it became clear that what Disney World was doing was working. This is likely because even in normal times, Disney World very rarely hits true capacity — maybe on just one or two days per year (and those are the days we recommend never going). For example, the popular Pirates of the Caribbean ride is seven minutes longer at Disneyland, clocking in at more than fifteen minutes. By Lauren Brownlow, WRALSportsFan columnist/reporter. With so many of the normal holiday traditions paused for 2020 across the country, seeing some Christmas trees up at Disney while wearing a green and red face mask may not be a bad idea after all. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. And those perks are included whether your Disney trip involves a stay at the toney Grand Floridian or a value-priced Disney … While it could change, know that Disney is still very much limiting dining capacity and spacing out tables at least six feet (or using plexiglass booth dividers) even though the state of Florida is again fully open. The exception to this movement comes for 10 to15 minutes every two hours or so when the rides get their regular disinfecting. So in mid-October, as school took its first long weekend break since restarting, the kids and I packed a big bag of face masks and neck fans and again headed east to Orlando. There are certainly still some midweek days where crowds and wait times are noticeably light, but weekends are busier than 25% capacity may sound. Experience the theme parks of Walt Disney World Resort—Magic Kingdom park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom park. If your main reason for going are the rides, Disneyland offers the better experience, because lines are generally shorter. Purchase theme park tickets to enjoy admission to one Walt Disney World theme park or purchase the Park Hopper option to … Parking at the Disney Swan or Dolphin and walking to Hollywood Studios is also a good strategy. Disney World is impossible to explore entirely on foot. We know that staying on property at a Walt Disney World Resort is worth the cost, thanks to the extra perks that come with the room. The official website for all things Disney: theme parks, resorts, movies, tv programs, characters, games, videos, music, shopping, and more! While the main rules and guidelines at Disney World are the same as they were in July, the parks themselves were significantly busier. For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. *Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. Related: How to choose the best hotel at Disney World. 10 Oldest National Parks In The United States, Largest Nature Parks In And Around Urban Areas In The United States, The Most Visited National Parks in the United States, 10 Ways Anyone Can Climb The Mount Everest Base Camp Expedition, The Most Beautiful Countries In The World. Disney World has implemented a number of safety measures which will change the way you plan your Disney World trips. The traditional theme park truths that wait time are lowest first thing in the morning and at the end of the evening are still true, but with some important nuances. If you find yourself wanting a sit-down meal but don’t have a reservation, try the “dine now” walk-up waitlist in the Disney app. And when you hit a narrow “chokepoint,” such as near Peter Pan in Fantasyland on a busy day, lines can virtually run right into each other. Update on Walt Disney World Resort. Disney World is located on an entirely different coast in Orlando, Florida. Frankly, Disney is hitting a tipping point where bringing back some version of FastPass+ might be better than the snaking long lines, but for now, you are left with old-fashioned waiting. While both parks are located in the southern United States, Disneyland is in California and Disney World in Florida. Related: How to use points for Disney tickets. Where to Stay at Walt Disney World. HERE’S WHY USING A FREE VACATION PLANNER CAN MAKE YOUR NEXT DISNEY TRIP BETTER. Those seeking a vacation destination where there are requirements and enforcement for face masks and distancing can be well served at Disney right now. Or if you are at Disney World, check out Spaceship Earth or the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Disney's Magic Kingdom -- the world's most visited theme park last year according to industry tracker Themed Entertainment Association -- attracted 20.96 million guests in … Here’s what it is like at Disney World right now and thoughts on whether it’s worth the trip. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. December 3, 2020 at 2:36 pm. This page is your one-stop shop for all the details you need to know regarding the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort. For this reason, Disneyland offers fans a certain degree of nostalgia that Disney World perhaps cannot. This often means lots of time in the sun managing your own social distancing until you reach the regular starting point of the line. Disney World generally costs more than Disneyland. Disneyland only has three hotels, whereas Disney World boasts more than 25 variously themed hotels, including the All-Star Music Resort and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the closest airport to the parks. See, 5 changes at Disney World that I hope become permanent, How to choose the best hotel at Disney World, Why you should use a free Disney Vacation Planner, These are the best restaurants at Disney World, Australia unlikely to reopen borders until 2022 — even if majority of population is vaccinated, Man lived at O’Hare for 3 months, claims he was scared of the coronavirus, Limited time: 100% bonus when you buy Hilton points, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Also at Epcot, Journey Into Imagination with Figment and the Gran Fiesta Tour both said 20-minute waits, and we walked straight on the two attractions without delay. Disney World stretches 43 square miles, while Disneyland only covers approximately 500 acres. If you’re after riding big-name attractions without long waits, you will need very up-to-date strategies that don’t involve FastPass since those are still suspended. Disneyland is where you can find Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Both parks offer hotels to ensure you do not have to leave the park at night. Recently, Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek told CNBC that the Disney World theme parks are at about 25% capacity to maintain six-foot social distancing. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Walt Disney World and other Central Florida theme parks are hoping for a busy Thanksgiving week after the coronavirus pandemic cost them so much business earlier in the year. This was made possible due to innovations in attraction operations while maintaining health and safety guidelines. © 2021 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. Sign-up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel tips and deals. The amount of people visiting each park can certainly influence your overall enjoyment. Each park offers something different and can enhance your time at Disney depending on your interests. Went to Hollywood Studios yesterday. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2021 worldatlas.com, 10 Key Differences Between Disneyland and Disney World, Key Similarities And Differences Between Jaguars And Cheetahs, Bay, Bight, Fjord, And Sound: Similarities And Differences Between These Coastal Features. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. He went on to say that the capacity wouldn’t increase from there until the CDC distancing recommendations change. Also, factor in that many ride vehicles are left empty for distancing, there is no FastPass+, no Extra Magic Hours, shortened operating hours and not all of the restaurants and shows have yet reopened. Splash Mountain said an 80-minute wait, but the truth was closer to 28 minutes. At the other three parks, an Uber or Lyft (or friend) dropping you off at the drop-off point early could do the trick. (You need a breakfast reservation, or hotel reservation at those properties to get into those parking lot.) For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. While the norm is that wait times at Disney World are pretty dramatically over-inflated right now, it’s not a simple as that being consistently true. As of 2020, expect to pay up to $200 for a single-day ticket at Disney World. A few days later at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had a posted wait time of 45 minutes but was really less than 15 minutes. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. The reservation itself is free, but it is of course necessary to also have tickets or an annual pass in order to access any of the four parks. We got in line for Soarin’ at Epcot and the wait time said 50 minutes, 20 minutes later we were buckling in for flight. Whew, this is a loaded decision only you can make. Children under three may enter for free at both parks. However — with tens of thousands of daily guests, know that at some point in your trip you are probably going to encounter someone who is not fully distancing or who isn’t wearing a mask as is required. Walt Disney World’s ticketing system allows guests to reserve a FastPass+ 60 days in advance of a check-in date if staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel or … Disney World has had to cut capacity and many attractions in the face of COVID and Christmas, unfortunately, will be no different. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. You can’t fit all of the content into one post! That sounds like plenty of time to get there and be first in line, but it’s not if you are trying to “rope drop” a ride (aka be there when it really first opens). For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. Just know it isn’t the same as it was pre-COVID, nor is it as tame and empty as it was in those first few weeks after reopening. If you like Disney hotel hopping every few nights of your trip anyway (especially while nightly housekeeping is suspended), this could be a good time to pick your lodging based on proximity to the parks so you can simply walk to where you want to be and avoid the transportation situation. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. When I went to Disney World in July on the day the parks officially reopened after months of closure, I assumed that would be my only trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” for the rest of 2020. Disney’s Magical Express service, which provides guests with transportation between Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World, will be ending in … By all accounts, the strict requirements for wearing approved face masks for everyone aged 2 and up, the distancing, liberal use of plexiglass dividers, cleaning and capped capacity are doing what they were designed to do — keep people safe while keeping the “magic” alive. There’s not a lot at Disney World that’s free. Disney World is significantly larger than Walt Disney’s original park. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel. No structure at Disney World stands taller than 200 feet. But then, several months went by. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Even though some of his influence exists at Disney World, the creator died five years before its grand opening in 1971. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. But what marks this difference between the two? It is recommended that you create a must-see and -do list while planning your visit to Disney World to ensure a fulfilling and enjoyable visit. Additionally, the parks are opening before they say they are. View our latest valuations here. Gone are the days you make dining reservations for Disney World 180 days in advance (hallelujah), but you still need a plan. But regardless of where you want to eat, it’s good to go ahead and make a booking at a sit-down restaurant if you feel comfortable doing so, just in case. This was are fourth time going to Disney World since 2016 so this wasn’t our first visit and like others have mentioned we probably will not visit again until we can park hop or get FastPasses. Do they not offer the same enchanted experience? The Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood … Depending on your intentions, choosing a park may come down to your interest in exploring the area beyond the resorts themselves. Related: These are the best restaurants at Disney World. That’s not a huge additional delay, but it’s a couple of examples that you can’t just assume the waits will always be less than stated. Or, you can always pack your own chips and sandwiches to bring into Disney. Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Because of its smaller size, getting around Disneyland is relatively simple. Rides and shops are crammed into tight spaces, creating a somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere. As my first big pandemic-era trip, walking into the gates of the Magic Kingdom, I was a bit scared, nervous of the unknown at a place that is normally so familiar and later received a heaping pile of online travel shaming for making the trip, which made me wonder if I’d made a mistake. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Although you can explore parts of the interior of both castles, each contain different attractions and experiences unique to the character and the mythology in which they belong. Both parks host different rides and attractions. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). So while you may have a bit of a wait on busy days in some cases, you continue to make visible progress toward the front of the line. This includes reopened character meals such as brunch with characters at Topoloino’s Terrace at the top of the new Riviera Resort and lunch or dinner with Minnie and friends in their festive attire at Hollywood & Vine inside Hollywood Studios. At Disneyland you can ride … On a particularly busy morning, Splash Mountain said 25 minutes immediately after parking opening, while it took 35 minutes. We look at what will remain the same at Disney World … Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. At Disneyland you can ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds or Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! Similarly, expect to wait 53 minutes for Toy Story Mania at Disney World, but 38 at Disneyland. Rich says. Measuring 77 feet tall, it is inspired by Bavaria’s Neuschwanstein castle. By Nathaniel Whelan on March 22 2020 in Travel. Like all theme parks at the moment, Walt Disney World is controlling the crowd size to around 20-25% normal capacity. To order from a quick-service counter restaurant, you need to order and pay in the Disney app. 2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. The beginning of the line for Haunted Mansions can be a terrifying distance away from the Doom Buggies. Open to the public for the first time in July 1955, Disneyland was built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. All reviews disney world magic kingdom fast pass happiest place on earth cast members magical place dining plan space mountain per day meal plan park hopper family vacation popular rides splash mountain small world haunted mansion pirates of the caribbean … Again due to distancing, you may not actually get on that first or second boat or bus to the parks since they aren’t operating at full capacity. If you are going to Disneyland, your single-day ticket might only cost $117. Sit-down restaurants now take bookings 60-days in advance and the hot tickets items are booking up. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Disneyland, on the other hand, can be completed in its entirety over a long weekend. If the unpredictable, and often inflated, wait times don’t scare you — the length of the lines might. Walt Disney died five years before the grand opening of Disney World in 1971, unlike Disneyland which was built under his direct supervision. This means the people who are in the parks are more concentrated. FOR NO COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG’S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS. Below is a guide to help understand the main differences between Disneyland and Disney World. The Points Guy will not sell your email. Taking inner-park buses, the monorail, or even the ferry is essential to maximize your time and fun. Update on Walt Disney World Resort. You will probably spend double the amount of time at Disney World than Disneyland, so keep in mind that the longer you stay, the cheaper each day becomes. You can modify or cancel the booking if you change your mind. If you’re OK with the new rules, are just after watching some short parades (aka cavalcades), waving at characters, riding what you can, eating some churros and appreciating being back on Main Street, then now is actually a pretty good time to visit Disney World. Related: Why you should use a free Disney Vacation Planner. 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